Strict Devices for Poets
Strict devices are writing techniques that emphasize a writer’s voice and make their words memorable. These devices can be found across all genres, including poetry, and can be employed in many ways to add focus, rhythm and harmony to any piece of work.
Word relation rhetorical devices involve connecting words within a sentence in such a way that draws the reader’s or listener’s attention. This could include asymmetrical word placement, word order manipulation, and even repetition.
Antithesis, for instance, uses two opposing ideas in order to produce a dramatic contrast. Chiasmus is another word relation device which involves repeating words in an organized sequence such as “the queen is coming to woo Hamlet.”
Poetic devices such as assonance, consonance and alliteration are powerful tools that writers can use to capture readers’ attention, inject focus, rhythm and harmony into their work. Each of these can be utilized in a variety of ways – from adding emphasis to introducing the main point of a poem to enhancing its overall theme or tone.
Rhyme is an effective literary device that can make a piece of writing more captivating while still allowing the author to express their individual voice. Strict rhymes are commonly used in modern poetry, but assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) and alliteration (repeated use of initial letter sounds like those found in tongue twisters) may also be employed.
Many poets gravitate toward these three devices because they offer an alternative way of writing without resorting to more formal, strict poetic forms. They’re particularly helpful for writers looking to add drama or narrative elements into their poems.
Reading widely is an effective way to become familiar with writing devices. The more you read in various literary forms, the more likely you’ll notice these elements and be able to recognize them in your own works.
For instance, you may notice that many writers incorporate word play and slang into their prose; this type of language is often seen in advertisements, headlines, news articles and other creative forms as well.
The best thing about these devices is their flexibility; you can use them effectively if you know how to recognize them when they appear. However, be mindful not to overuse slang or flowery language that detracts from your message rather than enhances it.
Many writers make the mistake of overusing these devices without considering how they can be used to support their message or enhance its impact. As with spices, there’s no need to overuse them so much that it overpowers your work.